FBI discourages use of public chargers. Expert suggests a simple solution

Although the need to charge your phone in a public place might happen to anyone, using public chargers with USB ports is not an ideal choice, according to the FBI's recommendation. The danger lies in a potential attack where the charging station doesn't solely supply power; it also establishes communication with the phone. This could cause a breach in private data.

The Chief Safety Engineer at Check Point Software affirms that public charging stations are seldom scrutinized for security, posing a threat to all. He proposes a straightforward solution: "In public places, use your cable and charger, or a plug that uses a traditional outlet, or a data transfer-incompatible cable", explains Muhammad Yahya Patel. "[Hackers] exploit the charging port as a pathway for data transmission. Consequently, they can embed a tracking program or clone your screen," he added.

Naturally, another alternative is carrying your own power bank; in this case, all of the previously mentioned concerns become moot. It's also important to remember that data theft from a phone can occur not only through the cable and an untrustworthy charging station, but sometimes simply through the thoughtless installation of an infected application, including from the official Google Play Store for Android users.